James R. Barnes

After six (6) years as an associate attorney with Burke & Casserly, P.C.,James R. Barnes, Esq.became a leader in the firm as a shareholder in 2011. James has devoted his practice primarily in wills, trusts & estates, elder law, special needs planning and business formation and planning. He is a frequent speaker in the community as well as for other attorneys and professionals on topics of estate planning or topics affecting seniors.James, along with the team at Burke & Casserly, P.C., takes an active role in community involvement. As an example, the firm is a sponsor of the Alzheimer’s Association of NENY and has been a supporter for over 30 years often participating in their fundraising events. James currently serves as a Trustee of the Foundation for Ellis Medicine in Schenectady, as well as a member of the board of directors of the Visiting Nurse Service of Northeastern New York. He is a Past-President of the Visiting Nurse Service of Northeastern New York’s Foundation Board, which is now a part of the Foundation for Ellis Medicine. He also presently serves on the board of directors for The New York Bar Foundation, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to aiding charitable and educational projects to meet the law-related needs of the public and legal profession. James is an active member of the New York State Bar Association, where he serves on the Executive Committee of the Elder Law and Special Needs Section. In addition, he is currently the Chair of the Association’s Committee on Continuing Legal Education. James is a Past-Chair of the Association’s Young Lawyers Section. He has also served on the Association’s Executive Committee, House of Delegates, in addition to several special committees and task forces. He is also a member of the Estate Planning Council of Eastern New York.James received his Juris Doctorate from Wake Forest University School of Law in 2004, where he studied as an A.J. Fletcher Law Scholar.  While at Wake Forest, he became an active member of the Phi Alpha Delta National Law School Fraternity, serving for two years as the chapter’s Vice-President.  James pursued his undergraduate education at the State University of New York at Binghamton.  In 2001, he received his Bachelor of Arts, summa cum laude, double majoring in Philosophy, Politics and Law, and in Music.  At Binghamton, he became a member of the Phi Beta Kappa, Golden Key and Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Societies.